If you are at all interested in traveling to Homer with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discounts
If you are at all interested in traveling to San Diego to improve your photography and enjoy the phenomenal Brown Pelican photography this month, please shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
What’s Up?
I photographed for three hours in a light drizzle on Wednesday morning. Though not as productive as most of my mornings have been, I created more than 2,000 images including many superb flight sequences, most of those made when things brightened up at about 10:00am.
Today is Thursday 5 January 2023. The week long prediction of “rain all day” has fizzled. They are now predicting partly cloudy skies from sunrise till about 11:00am. Much better. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred eighty-three days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and then go back to posting every other day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA just sold its last one. The good news? We have located two more new-in-the-box tripods. They will be available for shipping at the end of January. Best to order yours now to be sure that you get one. We will not run your card until your item ships. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now to avoid being disappointed.
What About Bosque?
For the past few years, folks often ask, “How is Bosque doing?” The answer, unfortunately, is “Not well.”
I first visited the refuge less than two weeks after the death of my beloved wife Elaine Belsky Morris in late-November 1994. Using Fuji Velvia pushed one stop, I created two BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year honored images, “Blizzard in Blue” and “Fire in the Mist.” The latter was wrap-around cover art for “Light on the Earth,” a collection of the best winning images from two decades of this prestigious contest.
Over the next decade and a half, Bosque became one of my soul places. I reveled in the magic of glorious sunrises and sunsets and skies and pools full of Sandhill Cranes and Snow and Ross’s geese.
Phil Norton, a soft-spoken, gentle man, skillfully managed the refuge for 14 years, from 1986 to 2000. He managed for the birds, for the visitors, and for the huge numbers of photographers who visited each year during late fall and winter. He understood and brilliantly managed the web of habitat, water, and vegetation to attract the many tens of thousands of geese and cranes that visited each season. His relationships with the local farmers and the cooperative farming program that he instituted at the refuge ensured an ample supply of corn and other grains for the ravenous avian winter visitors. All that food led to blastoffs and blastoffs and more blastoffs.
Phil founded the Festival of the Cranes that served as the blueprint for the now hundreds of annual birding festivals in the US. And he formed the first volunteer program where skilled folks worked their butts off for a motor home hook-up and a thank you from Phil. That program also served as a model for the refuge system.
Today at the refuge there is little food for the birds, and thus, very few birds.
I received this e-mail from David Policanksy on 27 December:
Hi, Artie. I went to Bosque today; partly cloudy, mid-50s, south-south-west wind about 15, less later. Lots of water including at the crane pool, and bth routes to the north are open. The birds weren’t concentrated or flying where it was easy to photograph them, but I got a few images I liked. Lots and lots of great-tailed grackles wading in shallow water, which I don’t remember seeing before, and an ibis, glossy or white-faced, likely immature so I don’t know which. I’ve never seen an ibis there before.
With love, Dr Fish
An e-mail conversation with Alistair Montgomery
BAA: Hi Alistair,
Re:
Alistair: Do you have an update on Bosque del Apache NWR bird photography?
BAA: I understand from others that there are very few birds.
Alistair: I understand from refuge publications on the internet that several changes including constructing levies and new ditches have been made to cope with the drought and optimize food supply.
BAA: There are few cranes and almost no geese this year. The mis-management plan has succeeded. They have completely ruined one of the crown jewels of the NWR system.
Alistair: Do you still run IPTs there?
AM: No sir.
Alistair: Happy new year and thanks! Alistair Montgomery
AM: Thank you, and ditto.
With love, artie
I copied Phil Norton on my reply to Alistair and received the e-mail below from my old friend. It is reprinted here with his permission.
Arthur, I have been watching Bosque become a shadow of its former self. When I go to the refuge, I always leave upset. There have been issues for sure. Water, COVID, and staffing for example. But when I look at what is happening, I consider it to be a result of incompetence and apathy. It’s hard to watch. I would be happy to visit with you if you would like to discuss things in more depth. Phil
Bosque Though the Years with Phil Norton
In this 51-minute video, Phil Norton, the former refuge manager at Bosque del Apache NWR, shares the history of the refuge through his eyes. When he left the refuge, things went downhill fast. In 2019, when I interviewed him, things were looking up. Since then the refuge, once the crown jewel of the NWR system, has gone completely into the tank. Phil talks frankly about the good and the bad. Everyone who has ever visited the refuge will appreciate the backstory.
Since his retirement for the NWR system, Phil has run a Bed and Breakfast in the tiny town of San Antonio, NM with his partner Phoebe — the self-described love of his life. In his spare time, he is an avid bowl turner, working on a lathe in his workshop out back. Phil and Phoebe will be closing the doors of Casa Blanca B & B at the end of this season. Join me in thanking Phil for all those great years at Bosque and in wishing him a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
Quite a while back I received an e-mail informing me that one of my images, “Fire in the Mist,” had been chosen for inclusion in the book, “Light on the Earth,” a compilation of twenty years of the best winning and commended images in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. I was thrilled of course, but a bit disappointed that only one of my five (at that time) commended images had been chosen. What can I say? I am greedy. As I read on, I was quite a bit more thrilled when I learned that “Fire in the Mist” would not only appear in the book but would be used as cover art, gracing the wrap-around dust jacket. The book, which features 170 images, is–at 224 pages and just under five pounds–a large one by any standards. The images are of course for the most part breath-taking (though I would disagree with a few of the choices…) In addition to the images, there are essays by some of the world’s premier photographic artists including one of my idols, Jim Brandenburg.
We have a limited number of signed copies available. The book will be signed on page 35 where “Fire in the Mist” appears. If you would like me to personalize the book, please let us know when you order and I shall do so on the title plate. If you request a personalized copy and I am on the road, your order will be shipped when I return home.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you have a Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens in excellent or better condition that has been sitting on a shelf for a while and would like to make someone happy and get a decent price for it, please let me know via e-mail.
Homer Late Registration Discounts
If you are at all interested in traveling to Homer with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discounts
If you are at all interested in traveling to San Diego to improve your photography and enjoy the phenomenal Brown Pelican photography this month, please shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
What’s Up?
The forecast for Tuesday was basically rain all day. I was sitting in my car at La Jolla working on my next YouTube video in the dark. It was pouring rain. The rain let up as it began to get light. I headed down to the main cliffs with the 400mm f/2.8 on the tripod and the 70-200 on my shoulder via a Black Rapid Curve Breathe Strap. I started off doing blurs with the 400 f/2.8 and in short order, it was bright enough to go sharp at about ISO 2000 — 1/1000 sec. at f/2.8. I wound up at ISO 800 — 1/2500 sec. at f/2.8. It is hard to beat the 400mm 2.8 for low light flight photography and staying well back from the incoming birds produces some very sweet backgrounds. After a while, looking for something different, I took a walk to find some new perspectives. And struck gold. The flight tapered off so I went back down the hill with just the hand held 70-200mm with the 1.4X TC. I had a ball and created some new and different images. And so it has been going: horrible forecasts with a zillion pelicans, tons of great chances, new opportunities, and new discoveries. I’ve been creating between 2800 and 4000 images each morning since I arrived.
Right now I’d have to say that the photography here rivals the greatest nature photography locations on the planet: East Africa, the Falklands, and South Georgia among others. There is still time for you to get in on the actoin by signing up for either the 2nd or third San Diego IPT.
Today is Wednesday 4 January 2023. The forecast is for more rain. I will surely give it a go. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred eighty-two days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and then go back to every other day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA just sold its last one. The good news is that we have located two more new-in-the-box tripods. They will be available for shipping at the end of January. Best to order yours now to be sure that you get one. We will not run your card until your item ships. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now to avoid being disappointed.
Great Gear Question
Steve White
January 3, 2023 at 11:23 am
I love both images. I don’t prefer one over the other because they are totally different and both are great.
Question: how do you carry the 400 and the 600 in the field at the same time? And I assume you had the 70-200 with you also? I have the 200-600 and 600. They both will fit with camera attached in my Kiboko and Mindshift 36L, but that is more weight I want to deal with in the field. Just curious.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Steve. And for your excellent question.
The situation at La Jolla is unique. From the car to the top of the steps is about 10 yards. On cloudy mornings I have been heading down the steps with the 400mm f/2.8 lens in my left hand, the 70-200/a1 rig on my shoulder via a Black Rapid Curve Breathe Strap, and the tripod in my right hand. On clear mornings I’ll move the 70-200 to the front of my body and carry the 600 f/4 in an old Domke lens bag via the lens strap on my right shoulder. I take my time getting down the steps. Once I get down to the main cliff, I make sure the 600 in a save spot, that is, somewhere in front of me where I can keep my eye on it.
I would never think of taking both big lenses to a place like De Soto where you might walk a mile or two in a single session. Note also that I never ever carry anything on my back 🙂 If I need to bring a short zoom lens I will wear my old X-tra Hand vest.
This image was created on 1 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be within 1/6-stop of perfect. AWB at 9:28:17am on a cloudy day.
Tracking: Zone was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Brown Pelican landing on low cliff
Vertical Original Flight Photography?
Today’s featured image was created as a vertical original. It is un-cropped.
Why Shoot Birds in Flight as Vertical Originals?
1- Why not?
2- You never know when you will come up with something different and exciting.
3- When you could sell images, vertical made for great magazine covers.
4- It is fun and extremely challenging.
Your Call?
Is today/s featured image anything special? What do you like? What don’t you like?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you are at all interested in traveling to Homer with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discounts
If you are at all interested in traveling to San Diego to improve your photography and enjoy the phenomenal Brown Pelican photography this month, please shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
New Listings
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
BAA Record-low Price!
Neal McEwen is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low by far $1099.00. The lens was recently serviced by CPS with the 11-Point EF Lens Maintenance Service. The sale includes the original box and packing materials, the front and rear lens caps, the tripod collar, the lens hood, the carrying case with strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Neal via e-mail or by phone at 1-404-326-0505 (Eastern time zone).
This incredibly versatile zoom lens — with its amazing .98-meter close focus — was my favorite Canon telephoto zoom lens ever. By far. It is easy to hand hold, great for tight portraits, for birds in flight, for quasi-macro stuff, and lots more. For flight, it is fabulous with an EOS R, R5, R6, or R7! This lens sells new for $2399.00 so you can save a handsome $1300.00 by grabbing Neal’s lens ASAP. artie
What’s Up?
With less than ideal conditions on Monday morning at the La Jolla Cliffs I enjoyed yet another spectacular 3000+ image morning. After feasting on pelicans I headed down the coast and found four cooperative Black Oystercatchers on their favorite rock shelf. I’ve been creating so many great images that I have been staying in every afternoon in order to get some work done.
I was glad to learn that Barbara White’s husband took advantage of the late registration and spouse discounts and will be joining us on IPT #3. And I was thrilled to learn that Mark Smith, bird photography’s You Tube rock star, will be joining me in Homer for two or three of the Bald Eagle IPTs.
Today is Tuesday 3 January 2023. The forecast is for rain early replaced by light rain at about 8am. I have been on such a hot streak that I will surely give it a go. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes two hundred eighty-one days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and then go back to every other day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA has just one of my favorite-ever tripods left in stock. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab this last one here right now.
This image was created on 26 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1250. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/400 sec. at f/4 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect.When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect.AWB at 7:15:10am, 25 minutes before he sun would come over the hill to the east.
Tracking: Spot (S) was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican sub-adult high key
High Key Simplicity
I call this one “Charcoal Grey High Key.” It is hard to imagine a simpler image: a pelican on a rock in the pre-daw shade with a white water background. The yellow bill tip, the pink eye skin, and the red and olive of the bill pouch add just enough color to bring this one to life. I even like the hint of CYAN in the water.
The Lessons
1- In the first few frames, the feet were lost behind the out of focus rock mound in the foreground. To get taller, I pulled in the legs of the tripod. Bingo.
2- The key to success of high key images, is to push the exposure far to the right and then some. This ensures that the darker tones will not be under-exposed.
This image was created on 2 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect plus a bit as I needed to overexpose the sky to get the best out of the bird’s dark feathers. AWB at 7:49:02am as the sun broke through the clouds in the east ten minutes after the sun came over the hill to the east (albeit behind the clouds at first).
Tracking: Zone was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #2: Brown Pelican backlit braking to land on cliff
Morning Backlight at the Pelican Cliffs
I’d done some backlit stuff at the pelican cliffs in year’s past. Thanks to the very talented Phil Colla for the reminder. You can see Phil’s eclectic images here on Instagram or on his Natural History Photography website, OceanLight.
Anyhoo, when the sun peeked through the clouds on Monday morning I traded the 400mm f/2.8 for the 600mm f/4 and went to work.
So, just what is special about this complex image? The backlight is superb. The braking pose is dynamic as the bird turned to its right to land. The color is sweet, though I may have overdone it a bit — the raw file was pretty bland. I love that you can see a hint of the other pelicans that are roosting on the cliff.
The Better Image?
So, which is the stronger of today’s two featured images? If you leave a comment, please let us know why you made your choice.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you are at all interested in traveling to Homer with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
San Diego IPT Late Registration Discounts
If you are at all interested in traveling to San Diego to improve your photography and enjoy the phenomenal Brown Pelican photography this month, please shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
What’s Up?
It poured all night and slacked off at about 6am on Sunday morning. I got to La Jolla at about seven. The wind was from the west at about 25mph with higher gusts. The main cliff was wall-to-wall pelicans. I made a few images of the zillions pelicans with the tripod mounted 70-200 for about 20 minutes and then — gasp — shot video for nearly 90 minutes using both the 70-200mm f/2.8 and the 600mm f/4. Thanks to Mark Smith, I have my a1 bodies set up perfectly to capture slow motion video. The next step is learning to process the videos. Mark has a great a1 Video How-to course online. If you would like advance information on the course, please let me know via e-mail.
Today is Monday 2 January 2023. The forecast for the morning is for mostly cloudy with a gentle breeze from the SW. I will head to the cliffs and probably explore a bit along the coast to the south in search of shorebirds and gulls. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes two hundred eighty days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and then go back to every other day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA has just one of my favorite-ever tripods left in stock. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab this last one here right now.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
This image was created on 1 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1600. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 8:48:39am on a stormy morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican flock on the water
The Armada
I noticed two big groups of pelicans several hundred yards offshore. As I had never seen anything like it before, I switched from videos to stills and made a few images of the flotilla. Click on the image to enlarge it and see why this scene reminded me of a huge convoy of WW II ships with the three Heermann’s Gulls acting as destroyer escorts. Can you say “Victory at Sea”?
This image was also created on 1 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. Again, while standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 2500. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 9:46:05am on a stormy morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) with Bird Face/Eye enabled was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #2: Brown Pelican cliff party
Umbrella Excitement
To say that the sidewalk cliffs were crowded with pelicans would be an understatement. I had been looking for an image of the birds packed like sardines in a can but wasn’t finding anything. When a woman walking down the hill struggled to hold on to her umbrella, the birds freaked. Composing through the lens, I trusted Tracking: Spot S with Bird Face/Eye enabled so that I could re-compose after picking my main subject, the handsome breeding plumage bird in the upper right. I had my shot.
This image was also created on 1 January 2023 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 88mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. A 3-stop 77mm ND filter was screwed on to the front of the lens. ISO 64. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1.3 seconds at f/11 (stopped down four stops). AWB at 10:56:25am on a stormy morning.
Manual Focus with Focus Peaking. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Brown Pelicans on cliff in storm
NDs for Moving Water Blurs
I travel with 77mm and 95mm three- and five-stop Neutral Density filters. The 77mm sizes fits my 24-105 and my 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses while the larger ones fit my Sony 200-600mm. They allow me to get to very low shutter speeds even on sunny days. I even have a 10-stop ND for 77mm.
Your Call?
As expected, the really bad weather on Sunday provided many unique photographic opportunities. Heck, twice I kept my back to the wind to protect my gear as two short rain squalls swept through La Jolla.
Which of today’s three very different featured images do you like best? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice. I am not sure if anyone will go with my pick.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you are at all interested in traveling to Homer with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info.
iPhone 11 Pano
La Jolla Sunrise
Have a Great 2023!
Jim Litzenberg, Jennifer Morris, and I, would like to wish each of you, your friends, and your family, a happy, healthy, and productive 2023. My the coming year be filled with love, wonder, fun, accomplishment, peace, sweet light, lots of great images, and at least one BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo Tour.
Today is 1 January 2023. I signed up for a New Year’s Day pelagic trip sponsored by the San Diego Field Ornithologists and was excited by the possibilities. It was cancelled on Thursday due to a hellacious forecast that included high winds and 2-foot seas. It was the first cancellation in thirty years. As my late Mom would say, “Oh well.”
If and when the overnight rains quit, I will head to La Jolla. This blog post took about 30 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-nine days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and then go back to every other day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA has just one of my favorite-ever tripods left in stock. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab this last one here right now.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
The iPhone Photography e-Guide
To order your copy of the The iPhone Photography e-Guide please click here.
The PDF is sent link by e-mail for downloading: the file is relatively huge at 216 MB.
Hard to Believe
Cliff has a great eye and wonderfully creative vision. Yet it is still hard for me to believe that he can make so many great images with “just“ an i-phone. Almost more amazingly, Cliff captures with his iPhone and does all of his post-processing on the phone! In this great e-Guide written for BIRDS AS ART you will learn to set up your iPhone quickly and efficiently and how to to use it. In addition, there are dozens and dozens of tips on Cliff’s favorite apps and his favorite gear. Scroll down to the bottom to see the Table of Contents.
The iPhone Photography e-Guide: $20.00.
To order your copy of the The iPhone Photography e-Guide please click here.
Dr. Cliff Oliver
Dr. Cliff Oliver is an award-winning photographer, former photography instructor for the San Diego Natural History Museum, cutting-edge integrative health care professional, and international workshop leader. He created and taught the first 5-day immersion iPhone photography workshop at Hollyhock, Canada’s premier Leadership Learning Center. He teaches quarterly iPhone photography classes at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library School of the Arts (these include Art on the iPhone, iPhoneography, Portraits and Selfies, and Practicing in the Field). His images have been on the cover of WildBird magazine, on display at Scripps Oceanography Institute, and been honored with multiple first-place finishes in the International Exhibition of Photography Del Mar. The San Diego Natural History Museum’s, “Birds of the World” centennial exhibit featured several of his images. One of his iPhone images received an honorable mention in the Athenaeum 23rd annual juried exhibition. He has displayed images at Art Speaks: Expressions of Hope and Healing and has produced a series of books, called Zen I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII that feature original images that promote inner peace. The last 4 books feature only images taken on the iPhone. He teaches individuals and groups the skills of capturing iPhone/mobile photographs and then how to create personalized works of art.
Learn more about Cliff and what he does on his Center for Balance website here. And don’t forget, if I had never met Cliff I would be pushing up daisies somewhere. To request my Health Basics File that contains the whole story, please shoot me an e-mail by clicking here..
You can learn how I got interested in iPhone photography and see some of Cliff’s great iPhone images in the 2018 blog post here.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
On Friday, I enjoyed a different kind of wonderful morning with the pelicans. As predicted, there was a barely perceptible breeze from the east so there was not much flight and the birds that did land came in very low. The few photographers who came late left early leaving all of the beautiful pelicans for me to enjoy. With the 400mm f/2.8 on the tripod and both TCs in my fanny pack, I made my way safely down the crevice and in a very few minutes was point blank with several dozen pelicans. With its amazing minimum focusing distance (MFD) of less than 9 feet, this lens offers 0.16X magnification. Compare that to the 0.14X magnification of the Sony 600mm f/4 GM. How can the be? Magnification is measured at the MFD; the 400 f/2.8 focuses much closer than the 600mm f/4’s 14.8 feet.
Anyhoo, with either TC added, the lens I did not like for nearly forty years becomes a giant macro lens. I had a ball doing body parts and faces and bill and wing detail as the birds slept peacefully, some almost within arms-length of me. I got some good ones and learned quite a bit for the next time.
Today is Saturday 31 December 2022. The forecast for this morning is for more of the same, cloudy skies with a gentle wind from the east. I may head down the coast early. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-eight days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA has just one of my favorite-ever tripods left in stock. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab this last one here right now.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
Manual focus with Focus Peaking performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the higher res version.
Image #1: Anna’s Hummingbird displaying
Anna’s at La Jolla
Over the years, heck, the decades, there is a single yucca tree near the pelican cliffs that the male Anna’s hummingbirds frequent often. I have never seen a female there. They are totally oblivious to the many humans that pass by within yards.
To drive away intruders, the Anna’s will display aggressively whenever another hummer zips by. At times, the will take flight in pursuit. When photographing the territorial displays, I find that shutter speeds of 1/500 sec. or faster will produce sharp images and will eliminate almost all motion blur.
Manual focus with Focus Peaking performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the higher res version.
Image #2: Anna’s Hummingbird displaying
Hummingbird Behaviors and Habits
When perched, hummingbirds are almost constantly doing something interesting. They display (Image #1), they stretch their wings (Image #2) in a variety of ways, often fanning their tails as they do, they sing, and they threaten other birds. They are constantly moving their heads either lighting up the gorget (as in all three of today’s featured images), or turning the head and neck feathers jet-black. Photographing hummingbirds is never boring and is always a challenge.
Image design Question
Why did I place the subject right of center looking out of the frame in Image #2
When the hummers are perched on the yucca leaves, it is not possible to use the shaded water inside the opening of the cave as a background. When the bird perches well to your right, you are good to try for that. So I did.
Your Call?
Which of today’s three featured images is your favorite? All are invited to leave a comment and let us know why they made their choice.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
As below, Thursday morning proved to be quite interesting.
Today is Friday 30 December 2022. The forecast for this morning is for more of the same, cloudy skies with a gentle wind from the east. As always, I will be at the cliffs early. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-seven days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
iPhone pano of the pelican cliffs early on Thursday morning.
Pelican Cliffs Pano
First, note the undisturbed pelicans on the main cliff on the left side of the image. Coast Walk is on the extreme right. From right to left in the distance are La Jolla Shores and then Torrey Pines. Standing just this side of the Western Gull in the center with the tripod-mounted 400mm f/2.8 was, as noted below, perfect for incoming and fly-by Brown Pelican photography.
The apparent tsunami in the bay was caused by operator error — faulty panning when creating the iPhone pano.
A Strange but True Little Person/Midget/Dwarf Story
The amazing pelican photography at La Jolla continued on Thursday morning. Early on, I was the only photographer there. After doing some flight blurs with the 200-600, I did some more high ISO flight in low light with the tripod-mounted Sony 400mmm f/2.8 and the a1. Then I worked several gorgeous carpet necked pelicans with the tripod-mounted 600 f/4. I am glad that I got both big lenses to San Diego. (I shipped the 600 via UPS Ground insured.)
The flight photography all morning long was superb with dozens of pelicans flying in and around almost constantly. At about 9:00am, I noticed a guy climb over the fence on the downhill sidewalk across the small bay. I put the big lens on him and saw that he was photographing the pelicans with a cell phone. He was a little person, a dwarf or a midget, whatever is politically correct today. Anyhoo, his actions drove about 200 roosting pelicans off the hillside. While that helped the flight photography, it surely was not too cool. Not to mention that if he had slipped, he would have died.
Thirty minutes later, he showed up at the main cliffs, walked down into the crevice on the left, and scared away about three dozen birds. He climbed up on a ridge and continued photographing the pelicans and making selfies. As he was now even with me and several other photographers, I called out to him: “Sir, please do not scare off the rest of the birds.” He smirked. Then he continued to walk towards the point, scared away all the birds, turned around to face us, and smiling — laughed in our faces. Nice guy. After he left, the birds flew back in creating more great flight chances as the wind was perfect from the east.
Then he went up Coast Walk, climbed over the fence there, again scared some more birds, and again risked his life. The last we saw of him he was trespassing in a area surrounded by “Native tree restoration area — Please KEEP OUT” signs.
Man and dog scaring the remaining pelicans off the cliff
Hard to Believe
By 10:30am, hundreds of pelicans had returned to the main cliff while creating still more great flight photography. Then the gentleman in the image above walked down the steps and came through the gate. His entire head was covered with tattoos. He was being dragged by a very large dog. Is that a pit bull? He barely slowed down as he walked toward the point, scaring away every pelican that was up top. I simply gave up retired to the deck as did many others. The man and the dog followed. With a friendly smile he said, and I quote, “I’m sorry that I scared all the birds away. I did not notice that you were photographing them.”
Go figure.
The iPhone Photography e-Guide
To order your copy of the The iPhone Photography e-Guide please click here.
The PDF is sent link by e-mail for downloading: the file is relatively huge at 216 MB.
Hard to Believe
Cliff has a great eye and wonderfully creative vision. Yet it is still hard for me to believe that he can make so many great images with “just“ an i-phone. Almost more amazingly, Cliff captures with his iPhone and does all of his post-processing on the phone! In this great e-Guide written for BIRDS AS ART you will learn to set up your iPhone quickly and efficiently and how to to use it. In addition, there are dozens and dozens of tips on Cliff’s favorite apps and his favorite gear. Scroll down to the bottom to see the Table of Contents.
The iPhone Photography e-Guide: $20.00.
To order your copy of the The iPhone Photography e-Guide please click here.
Dr. Cliff Oliver
Dr. Cliff Oliver is an award-winning photographer, former photography instructor for the San Diego Natural History Museum, cutting-edge integrative health care professional, and international workshop leader. He created and taught the first 5-day immersion iPhone photography workshop at Hollyhock, Canada’s premier Leadership Learning Center. He teaches quarterly iPhone photography classes at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library School of the Arts (these include Art on the iPhone, iPhoneography, Portraits and Selfies, and Practicing in the Field). His images have been on the cover of WildBird magazine, on display at Scripps Oceanography Institute, and been honored with multiple first-place finishes in the International Exhibition of Photography Del Mar. The San Diego Natural History Museum’s, “Birds of the World” centennial exhibit featured several of his images. One of his iPhone images received an honorable mention in the Athenaeum 23rd annual juried exhibition. He has displayed images at Art Speaks: Expressions of Hope and Healing and has produced a series of books, called Zen I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII that feature original images that promote inner peace. The last 4 books feature only images taken on the iPhone. He teaches individuals and groups the skills of capturing iPhone/mobile photographs and then how to create personalized works of art.
Learn more about Cliff and what he does on his Center for Balance website here. And don’t forget, if I had never met Cliff I would be pushing up daisies somewhere. To request my Health Basics File that contains the whole story, please shoot me an e-mail by clicking here..
You can learn how I got interested in iPhone photography and see some of Cliff’s great iPhone images in the 2018 blog post here.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Out of production for more than two years, BAA has just one of my favorite-ever tripods left in stock. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab this last one here right now.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTs, including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
What’s Up?
Again, the dire weather forecast for this week failed to materialize. It rained most of the night and quit at about 6am. There was a strong NW wind so the cloudy skies were a blessing. I did high ISO flight, mostly with the tripod-mounted 600mm f/4. The incoming pelicans were parachuting down with their feet hanging below them as they floated down to land. As the wind dropped, I created many fine images of the male Anna’s Hummingbird — 70 keepers after the first edit! I used the tripod-mounted 600mm f/4 with the 1.4X TC. This bird has been quite reliable this year. I went to Hospitals for the sunset that showed promise but fizzled. I had some nice land/sea/wave-scapes lined up with the tripod-mounted Sony 70-200mm II lens. As I was shooting down from atop the cliff, the zillion tourists were somewhat of a problem.
Today is Thursday 29 December 2022. The forecast is for cloudy with a gentle SE breeze. I will be at the cliffs early. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-six days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Be sure to click on the image to view the larger, high res version. See me in the center of the pupil.
Image #1: Pelican Eyeball Self-Portrait
Pelican Eyeball Self-Portrait Courtesy of the Sony a1
And Excellent Long Lens/TC Sharpness Technique
Yes, that is my reflection in the center of the bird’s pupil, working off the tripod just beyond the fence. Pretty sharp, no?
There is a spot at La Jolla where, in certain weather conditions, you can get 15 feet from the pelicans without even trying. You can get a bit closer by putting one leg of the tripod over the fence — just do it slowly. To ensure accurate focus and sufficient depth of field where you need it, learn to use Focus Peaking. Most modern dSLRs and mirrorless bodies offer this feature. With Sony, I set Focus Peaking up so that the in focus overlay is red.
When working with long effective focal lengths and relatively slow shutter speeds, you need to employ your best long lens sharpness techniques. Join me on an IPT to learn exactly how.
The astounding image quality of the a1 speaks for itself in this huge crop of the image below. And the same might be said about my long lens sharpness techniques.
This, the original image for the eyeball crop above, was created on 27 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/60 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 1 1/3-stops). AWB at 3:50:15pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Manual focus with Focus Peaking performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the higher res version.
Image #2: Brown Pelican (Pacific-race) 2-year old resting — face portrait
Looking for Special & Executing the Plan
I walked by this resting young bird about six times while searching for a colorful adult. Each time I passed it, the pink eye-skin called out to me. Finally, I succumbed and went to work. I set up perfectly parallel to the face. I was lucky to have the out-of-focus feathers of the next young pelican as the brown background. Focus Peaking showed me that f/9 covered the face. Experience told me that I could make sharp images at 1/60 sec. at 840mm. And Zebras showed me that I needed ISO 1000 to create a perfect exposure in the low light. Vision plus technique paves the road to making successful images.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s three featured images is your favorite? You are cordially invited to leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice. For me, this one is a very close call.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA has just one left in stock. The 304L has been my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab the last one here right now.
What’s Up?
It finally happened: an only fair morning at La Jolla. It could have been great. But. After a spectacular sunrise, I noticed a single photographer sitting low in the rocks in the crevice near the point, up top. He was still and quiet and did not scare any birds. When nearly all of the young pelicans flew off, I walked up behind him and said, “Good morning.” No response. Louder. No response. Louder still, from 10 feet away. No response. I was going to suggest that if he moved back to the main cliff, that there was a good chance that lots of pelicans would fly in.
There were several possibilities:
1- He was deaf.
2- He had ear buds in and was listening to music.
3- He chose to ignore me.
I figured that if he did not speak English, he would have at least turned around.
I decided to head south and explore the low cliffs.
If he is there tomorrow, I will make sure to get his attention.
Along the coast, I photographed some surfing pelicans and some surfing humans. And I played around with a tame Whimbrel that was hanging out with two young Black-bellied Plovers. In the afternoon, working with slow shutter speeds at 840mm off the tripod, I worked tight detailed head shots of the pelicans by the downhill fence.
Today is Wednesday 28 December 2022. It is supposed to rain overnight and be partly-sunny turning sunny in the morning. So much for the ominous weather forecast. I never worry about dire forecasts until it begins to rain heavily. This blog post took two hours to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-five days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
This image was created on 26 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While standing at full height I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 7:20:17am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican (Pacific-race) in pre-breeding plumage (white-necked)
Lots Of …
On the day after Christmas, there were again a zillion pelicans on the cliffs. And, with the day being a federal holiday, there were almost as many photographers. As would be expected, several of those were quite lacking in field manners. There was one man working with a 600 lens on a tripod. Twice, I set up to shoot to his side. And twice he moved right in front of me. I said, “Excuse me, you just blocked me.” He said, “I was here first.”
Go figure.
Getting the Green Background
On the pelican cliffs at La Jolla, the best way to get a green background is to have some birds perched well up on the upper cliff either in the shade or on a cloudy day. There are patches of green vegetation on the opposite cliff. You need to line things up carefully as there is lots of of grey and brown there as well.
There was a young (thirty-something) photographer working this bird with me while 25 others down the slope ignored the beautiful bird with the white hind-neck. I complimented him on knowing his way around birds as he moved very slowly when changing his perspective.
A late-arriving photographer came through the gate and walked briskly between us and the bird. I raised one hand, motioning him to slow down, and said, “slower please.” He continued on, turned back to me, and said, “I gotta be somewhere.” I said, “You might have scared our beautiful bird.” He said, “Did I scare it?”
Tracking: Spot (S) was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #2: Brown Pelican (Pacific-race) in pre-breeding (white-necked) plumage — resting
Point-blank Resting Pelicans and Depth of Field
I added the 1.4X TC and moved a bit closer to the bird. I made some images at f/6.3 and then went down to f/11 and eventually to f/14. Focusing on the eyes, the feathers of the folded near-wing and the breast sharpened up nicely, but the distal half of the bill is soft as it inside the zone of sharp focus. As I point out often here, when you are working anywhere near the minimum focusing distance, depth of field with long effective focal lengths — 840mm in this case, will be measured only in fractions of an inch. Notice that I am confident of making sharp images at 840mm with shutter speeds as slow as 1/60 sec. Even using the self timer I would not be confident at 1/30 sec.
This image, of the same bird, was also created on 26 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. Again, while standing at full height I used the no-longer available Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 1250. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/60 sec. at f/14 (stopped down 2 2/3 stops). AWB at 7:36:22 am on a cloudy morning.
Tracking: Spot (S) was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #3: Brown Pelican (Pacific-race) in pre-breeding (white-necked) plumage — bill pouch fully distended
Getting Lucky
When teaching folks to photograph the pelicans at La Jolla, I recommend that if they are working with a long focal length and the bird does a head throw, that they acquire focus quickly, frame the image as best as they can, and press the shutter button without attempting to change any of their settings. So when the beautiful bird leaned forward and distending its bill pouch, I did as I teach but figured that I had zero chance at 1/160 sec. But, as the golfer stops for an instant as he or she transitions from the backswing to the downswing, my bird held still just long enough to produce one fairly sharp image. The other eleven in the series were all badly motion-blurred.
The Lesson
When you are working around other photographers, use common sense, move slowly, keep your eyes open, and be sure to look behind you whenever you move.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Monday morning might have been the most spectacular yet for pelicans. There were more pelicans in La Jolla than I had ever seen in my forty years of visits. With a big surf, there were lot of birds up top. In fact, there were pelicans everywhere. With so many birds, I walked back up the steps and grabbed the 600mm f/4 and the tripod to better isolate single birds. Though I have barely begun to edit the 2155 images, I have already color coded a few very special ones.
Today is Tuesday 27 December 2022. As the weather is supposed to take a turn for the worst for nearly a week, I am not sure what I will be doing in the morning. I am sure, however, that I will get some good and different stuff despite the poor weather. This blog post took 2 1/2-hours to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-four days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created in the fog on 23 December 2022 on the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Working in Shutter Priority + 1.7-stops with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial, Zebra technology was used to determine the correct exposure. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000! 1/250 second at f/6.3 (wide open). AWB at 7:27:47am in dense fog. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid-perfect.
Expand Flexible Spot AF-C with Bird Face-eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: The Original image
The Original
The JPEG above depicts the raw file for the Brown Pelicans — Pacific race adults on cliff image. Aside from the fog, understand that the image looks washed out because it is properly exposed to the right. Many folks delete such images out of ignorance. With digital capture, it is fairly easy to transform the foggy looking images into fairy crisp, colorful images. I do understand, however, that some folks may prefer a foggier version, even one very close to the original.
Image #2: Adobe Camera Raw settings for the Brown Pelicans — Pacific race adults on cliff in fog image
Adobe Camera Raw Settings
In this case, adjusting the sliders is a good start. In addition to what you see above I did some Color Mixer work as well. I still need to do that video!
Before and After Crop, Add Canvas, and Average Blur Color Balance
As you can see by viewing the animated GIF, I cropped out the young bird on our left, and added lots of canvas right to maintain the 3X2 proportion. The final (and huge to me) improvement was using the Average Blur Color Color Balance technique on a Layer. The results were quite magical as this completely eliminated the overall BLUE cast.
This image was also created on 23 December on the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Working in Shutter Priority + 1.7-stops with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial, Zebra technology was used to determine the correct exposure. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000! 1/250 second at f/6.3 (wide open). AWB at 7:27:47am in dense fog. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid-perfect.
Expand Flexible Spot AF-C with Bird Face-eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: The optimized version of the Brown Pelicans — Pacific race adults on cliff image
Your Call?
Do you like the optimized version, Image #3? Or would you prefer a somewhat foggier version?
San Diego IPT ##2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
It seems hard to believe that every morning session in La Jolla has been better than the previous one. With a 15 mph wind from the east as the sun rose those in the right spot on the cliffs enjoyed fantastic flight photography. I wound up deleting hundreds of perfectly sharp, well-framed images of flying pelicans because of minor differences in wing positions, flight poses and postures, and underwing shadows. I created 2896 images on Sunday morning and kept exactly 200 including today’s very special featured image. I will run the fog-processing post tomorrow. The perfect weather is supposed to end on Tuesday but the big surf that comes with a storm should provide some neat opportunities.
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like the late registration discount information for the second San Diego IPT.
Today is Monday 26 December 2022. I will be heading back to the cliffs tomorrow for another fix. This blog post took an hour to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-three days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created on 25 December 2022, my first free day after the first San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 419mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial, ISO 1000. 1/3200 second at f/6.3 (wide open). AWB at 7:53:19am on a clear sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid-perfect.
Zone AF-C with Bird Face-eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Adult Brown Pelican biting the neck of another while a juvenile looks on placidly
Pelican Behaviors
The are many interesting pelican behaviors to photograph. When one birds land in a crowd, many birds raise their bills and distend their bill pouches as a form of greeting. You will see that behavior in tomorrow’s fog-processing post. There is no doubt at all of the aggressive nature depicted in the image above. The bird with the orange base to the bill pouch wanted spot at the end of the cliff so he began biting the head of the bird with the bright red bill pouch. The attack lasted more than thirty seconds until the pelican on the right had had enough and flew away.
Three on the Same Plane!
I would have preferred that the young bird on our left had not been in the frame. Somewhat miraculously, the eyes of all three pelicans were on the exact same plane and are all razor sharp. That made the presence of the young bird a lot more palatable than if it had been closer to me than the other two birds
San Diego IPT ##2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of today’s four featured images is your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice and you will likely learn something!
What’s Up?
Happy holidays to all.
We spent the last morning of the first San Diego IPT at Santee Lakes. Though it was not the greatest day ever, we had many good chances with Wood and Ring-necked Ducks. And we ended the morning with decent images of a Lewis’s Woodpecker, a rare visitor to San Diego. I took the afternoon off despite the nice weather.
Each of the three pelican mornings has been among the best I have enjoyed in three decades of photographing in San Diego. Remembering that you only live once, you just might want to call Jim at the office at 863-692-0906, leave a deposit for the second or third San Diego, or e-mail me and ask about doing a few In-the-Field Days in January, and then get yourself a flight to San Diego.
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #2 Late Registration Discount info.
Today is Sunday 25 December 2022. For those who celebrate the holiday, I hope that Santa brought you what you wanted. With clear skies and a NE breeze skies forecast for today, I will surely head to the pelican cliffs. This blog post took two hours to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-two days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created on 23 December on the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Working in Shutter Priority + two-stops with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial, Zebra technology was used to determine the correct exposure. AUTO ISO set ISO 2500! 1/20 second at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 6:42:34am about an hour before the sun would crest the hill to the east. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid-perfect.
Expand Flexible Spot AF-C with Bird Face-eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican juveniles — pre-dawn landing blur
Necessity, the Mother of Invention
If you insist on making only sharp images in extreme low light conditions, you will be working with unheard of high ISOs. Note that at 1/20 second I needed ISO 2500 to get the right exposure. What would the ISO have been had I been working even at a conservative 1/1600 second for flying birds? I am not gonna take the time to figure it out but even if your camera goes that high, the results would be horrific at best.
My choice is to go with the flow and strive to some create pleasing blurs. Remember that the shower the shutter speed you choose, the lower your percentage of keepers will but that your chance of winning a prestigious contest will be.
This image was also created on 23 December on the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) Working in Shutter Priority + 1.7-stops with Exposure Compensation on the Thumb Dial, Zebra technology was used to determine the correct exposure. AUTO ISO set ISO 2000! 1/250 second at f/6.3 (wide open). AWB at 7:27:47am in dense fog. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead-solid-perfect.
Expand Flexible Spot AF-C with Bird Face-eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Brown Pelicans — Pacific race adults on cliff
Working in Shutter Priority!
As regular readers know, I sometimes opt to work in Shutter Priority Mode in low light. That is easiest to do with Sony because of Zebras. It was easy to got from a very low blur shutter speed to the fast enough shutter speed of 1/250. sec. The trick is that you have to know your way around getting the right exposure with whatever gear you are using.
Fog Processing
Because of the fog, the properly exposed raw file for Image #2 was totally flat and lacking contrast and color. I will walking about processing such images in a blog post here soon.
This image was also created on 23 December on the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 102mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 640: 1/1250sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:39:48am on after the fog returned.
Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Brown Pelicans and photographers on the lower shelf
Taking a Walk
While Anar stayed on the cliffs, I took a walk up the steps and down the hill with the handheld 400 f/2.8 and the 70-200 on a Black Rapid Curve Breathe Strap on my shoulder. I used the latter to create Image #3. Here’s a good tip for creating bird scape and scenic images with a zoom lens: always zoom a bit wider so that you have room to crop if need be. With this image, I cropped from above and the right to eliminate a pelican on the right frame-edge
2022/2023 Juvenile Brown Pelicans
The last breeding season was surely a banner one as there are a zillion young of the year birds this year. Some years, you have to search to find two or three juvie. You can tell them from the adults by their brown upper parts and their white bellies. The adults are silver/grey above with speckled charcoal or nearly black bellies.
This image was also created on 23 December on the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. While standing, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250. 1/1600 sec. at f/3.5 (stopped down 2/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:15:33am on a then foggy morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: Brown Pelican juvenile landing in light fog
The 400mm f/2.8
The lens that I advised against for nearly forty years has become one of my favorites and has been incredibly valuable in San Diego. It is superb for low light flight at La Jolla, especially if you know where to be.
San Diego IPT ##2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Chip Schilling is offering a Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera Body in like-new condition with the latest firmware update for a BAA record-low $1699.00. The sale includes the original box, the front cap, one battery and the charger, the strap, the manual, and insured ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Chip via e-mail or by phone (or text him) at 315-481-0916.
The R6 is virtually identical to the R5 but for the 20 MP raw files and the smaller price tag. The Menu is easy to navigate. The Face Detection plus Tracking technology (though not perfect) is superb. The Custom shooting modes (C1-C3) allow the user to save many items including and especially Customize Buttons, Customize Dials, and Shutter Mode settings. That makes the Custom shooting modes a huge plus for users who do not need to waste time fiddling around with various settings. One of three different Mount Adapters EF-EOS R enable folks to use their Canon EF lenses seamlessly with all of the great R6 features maintained. AF performance with the adapters and EF lenses is superb. With an R6, a Standard Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, and the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, you will have a great rig for bird and nature photography.
In the pre-dawn, we had our best morning of pelican blur photography. “Bad” weather often makes for great photography; we dealt successfully with a big fog bank on Friday morning. I was hoping for some fire in the mist when the sun crept over the hill, but the fog behind us dissipated almost instantly and the sun broke through only a few minutes later. While the sun shone for an hour, we enjoyed some great flight photography and then worked the perched pelicans at close range. And then the fog rolled back in so we walked down the hill and had some more good flight photography. On the way, I had grabbed the 70-200 II and created some neat images of the pelican-covered cliffs.
We returned to the cliffs at about 3:00pm and found that the fog had returned. Dozens of pelicans were in the air at any given moment. Then I found the male Anna’s Hummingbird. After that, we worked some of the pretty pelicans perched just down from the sidewalk. I took Anar and her husband to the Shiku Sushi Bar for a thank you dinner.
Each of the three pelican mornings has been among the best I have enjoyed in three decades of photographing in San Diego. Remembering that you only live once, you just might want to call Jim at the office at 863-692-0906, leave a deposit for the second or third San Diego, or e-mail me and ask about doing a few In-the-Field Days in January, and then get yourself a flight to San Diego.
Today is Saturday 24 December 2022. We will be headed early to Santee Lakes to see how the ducks are doing. This blog post took an hour to prepare and makes two hundred seventy-one days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
The offshore pre-dawn fog bank and pelicans on the bottom left shelf.
Changeable Weather
Many folks will opt to stay home when the forecast calls for clouds, fog, drizzle, high winds, or even rain. At photography locations like San Diego (and Bosque Del Apache NWR in NM when it use to be good), the weather is typically clear and sunny. I get excited when changeable weather is coming as it will almost always present a variety of different and often excellent photography conditions. Such was the case in San Diego yesterday day.
This image was created on 23 December on the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 371mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/1000 second at f/8 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:11:25am on a then-sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be dead solid perfect.
Expand Flexible Spot AF-C with Bird Face-eye Detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Brown Pelican sub-adult preening
Orange Marmalade Pelican Bill Pouch Pano
It was clear in the pre-dawn with a distant fog bank offshore. And then the fog rolled in. And then the sun broke through. We were sitting on the lower shelf when a gorgeous young pelican landed on a pedestal rock about thirty feet from us and began preening. The bill was orange marmalade color at the base, while the distal 1/2 was strangely yellow rather than dark olive colored.
I created 813 images of this unique bird. After the first edit of the morning session folder, 67 of the 196 keepers were of this handsome pelican. I just love the variety of plumages of the various ages of Pacific-race Brown Pelicans.
You Call?
Is today’s featured image more doofy or more beautiful?
From the Urban Dictionary
goofy — adjective: descriptive of or pertaining to acts or behaviours that come across in a somewhat off-kilter or awkward.
San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Thursday morning was fabulous for pelicans again. And lots more. I filled a 160GB Delkin card for one of the very few times ever. But today’s blog post is about our first afternoon.
There were more than 600 pelicans on the various cliffs on Thursday morning. We experimented with 1/13 second cormorant pan blurs in the pre-dawn light, and then had our best morning of pelican flight once the sun came up. We ended our times on the cliffs with a gorgeous white-necked (pre-breeding plumage) bird up top, the first pelican that we had on the upper cliffs. It was silly tame and the Pacific blue background was to die for. Then we headed south along the coast and had a ton of fun and many great opportunities on several species of shorebirds, a tame Black Phoebe, a coastal raven, and some gulls in flight. We spent the afternoon at Coronado and needed a stronger wind for the gulls in flight. We enjoyed some nice sunrise color along with the gulls and shorebirds. I have been reminded daily of what I love San Diego so much for bird photography.
Remembering that you only live once, you just might want to call Jim at the office at 863-692-0906, leave a deposit for the second or third San Diego, or e-mail me and ask about doing a few In-the-Field Days in January, and then get yourself a flight to San Diego.
Today is Friday 23 December 2022. We will be headed to the pelican cliffs early for the third morning of the first San Diego IPT. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare including the time spent on the two image optimizations and makes two hundred seventy days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created on 22 December 2022 at La Jolla Shores Beach, CA on the first afternoon of the first San Diego IPT. While standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 250. 1/8000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect plus a bit, just as I wanted it. AWB at 4:21:26pm on a sunny afternoon.
Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Western Gull with backlit wave
Remember, It’s Nature Photography: There are No Guarantees
We headed to La Jolla Shores Beach with high expectations. It was low tide and sunny and the wind from the west. Perfect conditions. There were 378 tourists and college students on the beach, 37 unleashed dogs, and 1 dog on a leash. (Unleashed dogs are of course forbidden). There were no Marbled Godwits, no Whimbrels, no Sanderlings, no Spotted Sandpipers, no Royal Terns, six Western Gulls, two Ring-billed Gulls, and most amazingly, zero Heermann’s Gulls!
We walked more than a mile up the beach without much to show for our efforts. Twenty minutes before sunset, I noticed a Western Gull perched on some offshore rocks. Every time a big wave broke, the gull jumped up and then flew back to its perch. Walking about 75 yards south put the sun behind the rock. When the gull jumped up, the breaking wave was beautifully backlit. I called Anar over and explained what we were after.
I told her to set a fast shutter speed with the wide open aperture, raise the ISO until she had faint Zebras on the sky, and then dial the ISO back 1/3-stop so that there were no Zebras on the sky. She asked, “Why no Zebras?” I explained that when the wave broke the backlit highlights would be very bright. As you can see by our results, that exposure strategy worked perfectly.
This image was created by Anar Daswani on 22 December 2022 at La Jolla Shores Beach, CA on the first afternoon of the first San Diego IPT. She used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 600mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/2500 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 4:34:05pm on a typically sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be fractionally short of perfect.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C with performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Western Gull with backlit wave
Image courtesy of and copyright 2022 Anar Daswani
Way to Go Anar!
From the first day that I met Anar at Stick Marsh last spring she has been serious about improving her bird photography. She asks lots of good questions and pays attention all the time. On Wednesday afternoon, that paid off big time.
The Best Part of being on an IPT
When Anar saw how I had processed Image #1, she said, “I want some of that!” So at lunch on Tuesday, I created a Camtasia screen capture video of the complete optimization of her image. I will send it to her soon. We do that often on most IPTs and the videos are shared with the participants.
San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Conditions on Wednesday morning were similar to those on Tuesday: a gentle surf and bit more of a breeze from the northeast later in the morning. The pelican photography was excellent again and we had more flight chances. I was joined by Anar Daswani of San Jose, CA. Anar joined me for two In-the-Field sessions at Stick Marsh last April. She showed up with an a1 and a 200-600 and simply put, had no clue. At lunch, she shared some really great images that she had made in the interim. I am very proud of her progress and she went from a beginning nature photographer to a skilled nature photographer as a result of the two mornings we spent together.
Remembering that you only live once, you just might want to call Jim at the office at 863-692-0906, leave a deposit for the second or third San Diego, or e-mail me and ask about doing a few In-the-Field Days in January, and then get yourself a flight to San Diego. There were more than 400 pelicans on the various cliffs this morning. We made lots of excellent images before the sun came over the hill at about 7:40. Then we relocated on the lower shelf and worked the sweet light with the sun behind us. Today is Thursday 22 December 2022. We will be headed to the pelican cliffs early for the second morning of the first San Diego IPT. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes two hundred sixty-nine days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
This image was created on 21 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While seated on the lower cliff I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/4000 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 9:14:23am on a faintly cloudy morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican Pacific-race preening — over the shoulder view
The Beauty of Whitewash Poop Streaks
The sandstone rocks in La Jolla are often beautifully streaked with pelican poop. Over the years, I have made many images of birds with the beautiful poop patterns in the frame and I have made photos of the white on sandstone alone. I had eyed this particular rock wall on Tuesday morning, but came away empty handed. When I saw the orange variant bill pouch bird preening, I went wide so as to include lots of whitewash strikes and a nice expanse of the Pacific.
Note the subject placement, the perfect preening head angle, and the nicely spread tail. This bird had a chunk of feathers missing from its hind-neck that was repaired with the Patch Tool.
This image was also created on 21 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While seated on the lower cliff I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/5000 sec. at f/3.5 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:06:50am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Brown Pelican Pacific-race juvenile resting
Same Wall, Brighter Light, Young Pelican
The young pelican in Image #2 was resting on a flat portion of cliff a few yards to the left of the wall seen in Image #1. I did lots of cliff clean-up work on this image with the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, and Content Aware Fill.
Depth of Field Question
Why are the whitewash streaks sharp in Image #1 but completely blurred in Image #2?
San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Despite the lack of high surf and only a gentle breeze from the northeast, photography at La Jolla was typically spectacular on my first morning in California.
Remembering that you only live once, you just might want to call Jim at the office at 863-692-0906, leave a deposit for the second or third San Diego, or e-mail me and ask about doing a few In-the-Field Days in January, and then get yourself a flight to San Diego. There were more than 500 pelicans on the cliffs this morning and, as you can see by taking a glance at the seven images below, the light was sublime. Today is Wednesday 21 December 2022. I will be headed to the pelican cliffs early for the first morning of the first IPT. I always go with one, and that is what I will be doing. This blog post took more than two hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes two hundred sixty-eight days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While seated on red dirt emptying the knee-pod technique I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/640 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:49:37am on a faintly cloudy morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Brown Pelican Pacific-race in breeding plumage
Fluorescent
There were several pelicans, like this one, where the colors about the face and the bill pouch seemed to glow in the soft sunlight, appearing to be a bit fluorescent. The bird in this image was quite cooperative.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While standing on the lower cliff I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:03:10am on a faintly cloudy morning.
Tracking: Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Brown Pelicans — Pacific-race in pre-breeding plumage (left) and breeding plumage (right)
Pelicans on the Exact Same Plane
These two birds sat peacefully on the cliff for more than an hour, occasionally preening or doing a head throw. I removed the TC and moved back so as to include both birds in the frame. I moved slightly left and right and eyeballed the depth of field so that both birds were exactly on the same plane. If enlarge the image, you will see that this technique worked perfectly; the eyes of both birds are dead-solid perfect sharp.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While standing on the lower cliff I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640. 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be 1/3-stop short of perfect. AWB at 9:14:23am on a faintly cloudy morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Brown Pelican Pacific-race pre-breeding — head throw from behind
The Slight Underexposure
When making Image #2, the exposure was a compromise because the bird on our right was much brighter than the bird on our left. Thus, when the bird on our left did a head throw, all of the images of only that bird were about 1/3-stop short of perfect. All were razor sharp on the eye. I had gone to vertical and fired off a 26-frame sequence. Remarkably, all of the photos were created within a single second.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While standing on the lower cliff I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 640. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:17:04am on a faintly cloudy morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #4: Brown Pelican Pacific-race in breeding plumage in flight
Not Much Flight
With not much wind, there was not much flight photography. I love doing the static birds so much that I often miss good flight opportunities because I am not concentrating on the flying pelicans. It is a hard habit to break as I am addicted to the beauty shots as apposed to the action especially those in the air!
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While seated on red dirt employing the knee-pod technique I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:26:43am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #5: Brown Pelican Pacific-race in breeding plumage preening
The Classic Preening Pose
Note that the bird’s bill and face are perfectly parallel to the imaging sensor. As they should be. Note also the killer sweet background that comes with longer rather than shorter focal lengths.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While seated on red dirt employing the knee-pod technique I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000. 1/640 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be perfect. AWB at 9:31:32am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #6: Brown Pelican Pacific race in breeding plumage tight underside view of bill pouch during head throw
I’m Too Tight!
Oftentimes, folks see a head throw and fail to press the shutter button because they cannot fit the whole bird into the frame. In those cases, simply acquire focus, compose as best as you can, and press the shutter button. You will clip the bill at times, but you just may come up with a winner.
This image was created on 20 December 2022 at La Jolla, CA. While standing on the lower cliff I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/640 sec. at f/2.3 (stopped down 1/3-stop in error) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined within 1/6 stop of perfect. AWB at11:05:57 in the shade on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Flexible Spot S AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #7: Brandt’s Cormorant displaying
The Brandt’s Cormorants
The Brandt’s Cormorants breeding ledge is in full swing with lots of birds flying in with nesting material and lots of birds displaying.
Your Call?
Which of today’s featured images is your favorite? Why?
San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Orlando International Airport was as jam-packed as I’ve ever seen it at 5:30am on Monday. I was glad to have TSA Pre-check! As a huge fan of Air Disasters,I was glad that my non-stop flight to San Diego was blessedly uneventful.
When we landed in San Diego I looked across the aisle at the guy who sat next to me for five hours and said to him, “Did anyone ever tell you that you look like pro golfer Matt Kuchar?” He, said, “That’s me.” I told him that I had been rooting for him on the PGA tour (where he has won nine tournaments and in excess of $50,000,000) ever since he went on tour in 2000. I shared a bunch of golf stories from my younger days and asked him about his Dad who. was his teacher and a great friend. Matt could not have been any nicer if I had been his best friend. He was on his way with his family to Hawaii for some vacation and to get ready for the Sony Open.
I was so excited meeting him that I left my phone on the plane on the armrest. My seat-mate saw me heading back to the gate in a panic and said, “No worries, I left it with the agent.” Whew!
This image was created on 6 January 2020 on a San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 485mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced for me by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800. 1/2000 second at f/6.3 (wide-open) in Manual Mode. AWB at 8:37:09am on a typically sunny morning. RawDigger showed the exposure to be fractionally short of perfect.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C with performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Scissors-preening (one of the many avian and photo related terms that I have coined) occurs when a bird opens and closes its bill, usually while preening a bill-full of usually small feathers. Sort of like when Sal-the-barber grabs a few fingers of a tyke’s blonde locks clipping away as he goes. With small birds, scissors-preening is often not very impressive, but bird’s like pelicans with their huge bills often put on quite a show.
The adult pelican in Image #1 is in full breeding plumage with its blackish brown breast feathers, the brown hind-neck with a touch of rufous, the bright red on what looks like the bird’s neck but is actually the base of the bill pouch, the golden-yellow head feathers, and the golden-yellow diamond-shaped patch where the bottom of the neck meets the top of the breast. In a word, gorgeous, especially when compared to their drabber eastern counterparts.
This image was created on 6 January 2020 on a San Diego IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 535mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced for me by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ) The exposure was determined using Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400. 1/1600 second at f7.1 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual Mode. AWB at 9:43:52am on a typically sunny morning. This image was made pre-RawDigger. After the fact it showed the exposure for this image to be nearly one full stop too dark. My bad: I had Zebras.
Expand Flexible Spot S AF-C performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
The principle guideline for creating pleasing scissors-preening pelican images is similar to that in play when photographing any preening pelicans: strive to have the bird’s face and bill parallel to the back of the camera. Doing so will greatly reduce your depth of field problems. In addition, images made when the bird’s visible eye is wide open, will usually be preferred to those where the bird is squinting, to those made when the eye is fully closed, or those made when the eye is covered or partially obscured by the nictitating membrane.
Moderately fast shutter speeds of from 1/1000 to 1/2000 second are fine when photographing this behavior. When photographing pelicans in flight is is best to use really fast shutter speeds of from 1/2500 second to 1/4000 second or even higher (though at times you can get away with slower shutter speeds if you match the speed of the bird in flight with the speed of your panning). When photographing the bill clacking behavior you will want to use use the really fast shutter speeds mentioned above.
Which?
Which of today’s two featured scissors-preenining image is the stronger image? I have a clear favorite and will share it with you here on Thursday.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
It was a great weekend for all types of football. On Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings came back from a 33-0 deficit in the second half to win 39-36 on a field goal with 3 seconds left in overtime. It was the biggest-ever comeback in an NFL game. In the third game that day, the Buffalo Bills, after trailing by eight points in the fourth quarter, defeated the Miami Dolphins on a 25-yard field goal in a blizzard with no time left on the clock.
The FIFA World Cup final was boring for 82 minutes as Argentina led France 2-0 from early on. France looked as if they were done for until Kylian Mbappé scored on a penalty kick and followed that a minute later with the tying goal. But Argentina’s legendary Lionel Messi poked the ball into the goal to put Argentina ahead again. But not for long as Mbappé netted a hat trick on his second penalty kick. Regular play lasted 90 minutes plus two additional 15-minute periods plus stoppage time. Both teams had numerous great chances for the last fifty minutes; the action was breathtaking. Each team just missed scoring in the last minute of overtime. When that ended, the game was tied at 3-3. Argentina won 4-2 on penalty kicks.
After winning seven Ballon d’Ors, lifting 38 trophies, and playing over 1,000 games in his career, the World Cup was the only title missing from Messi’s resume. It was fitting that the 35-year-old clinched that elusive title in such a remarkable game. Despite not being not quite good enough to inspire France to successive World Cup titles, Mbappé’s third goal secured him the Golden Boot – a trophy given to the tournament’s top scorer. He scored eight goals in Qatar. Read more here. Better yet, see all the thrilling highlights in the YouTube video here.
Ballon d’Or
Since 1956, an an annual football (soccer) award presented to the world’s best footballer by French news magazine France Football
Today is Monday 19 December. I fly to San Diego for five weeks this morning at 7:15am. I am staying for about five weeks. What can I say? I love the pelicans and the weather. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred sixty-six days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
This image was created on 13 December 2022 down by the Lake near my home at ILE. I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO ???. 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be quite excellent — see more below. AWB at 6:58:39am on a cloudy morning about ten minutes before the time of sunrise.
Tracking: Flexible Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Crested Caracara — large crop
Image Quality Factors
Many factors determine image quality. Among those are sharpness, clarity, color, and fine detail. The higher the quality of the sensor in your camera and the lens you are using, the better the image quality will be (all else being equal). Understand that cropping always degrades image quality. In addition, and in general, the higher the ISO, the poorer the image quality will be (again, all else being equal).
The JPEG for today’s featured image was created from a TIF file that was cropped dramatically; it represented only 13.5% of the original pixels. 86.5% of the original pixels were cropped away and discarded.
Study the EXIF, enlarge the photo and check out the image quality, put everything together, and leave a comment with your best estimate of the ISO used to create the image.
In which area is today’s featured image most lacking?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
IPT veteran William Wingfield is selling a Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens in like-new condition for $749.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
This is the dream lens for folks doing handheld scenic, urban, and travel photography. It is super sharp, features a constant f/4 maximum aperture, and offers four shutter speed stops of image stabilization to allow working in low-light conditions with slow shutter speeds. Still in production, this lens sells new for $1299.00. Grab Bill’s pretty much new copy and put a smooth $550.00 in your pocket. artie
Iceland
My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.
Which?
Which two of today’s featured image best tell the story. Why?
What’s Up?
Me, trying to finish packing.
Today is Sunday 18 December 2022. I will be spending tonight in an airport hotel at MCO because my flight on Monday morning is scheduled to depart at 7:15am. I will be on an early shuttle! I stayed in this morning as I have lots to do. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred sixty-five days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Image #1: iPhone 11 Pano (cropped). Click on the image to view a larger version.
The Vulture Trees in September 2022
In Memoriam
The original Vulture Tree can be seen on the far left. There is a single perched vulture on it. As is typical with dead trees, the configuration of the branches near the top changed over the years. I spent many dozens of hours photographing there. And you have seen many images here on the of either perched birds or birds flying into that tree to land.
The largest dead tree, the one in front of the three live pines, was too cluttered for photography until Hurricane Ian visited in late September. I made a neat video of vultures hanging on for dear life to the upper branches on the afternoon of that storm. I liked photographing the perched vultures in this tree on cloudy mornings with a northeast wind. You saw two of those images in the Before and After Hurricane Ian at Indian Lake Estates, FL. And Wind Lessons blog post here.
Over the past two years, the skinny dead tree on the right became my favorite. You’ve seen many fine images of birds perched on the top right fork and on the lowest stub of a branch the right side of the tree.
Now ask yourself, what harm were the tree dead trees doing?
Image #2: iPhone 11 image (cropped). Click on the image to view a larger version.
The Wreckage of the First Tree to Fall
The First to Fall
Having watched as many as seven ILE work trucks (including the forestry bucket truck) cutting down both dead and live trees and “cleaning up” the North Field and the South Peninsula, the handwriting was on the wall. So, I was not shocked on the foggy morning of 15 December to see that the largest dead tree had succumbed to the chain saw on the morning of the 14th. Note the single vulture in the original vulture tree looking on forlornly. I entertained the slim possibility that they might spare the other two perch tree. That was not to be.
Image #3: iPhone 11 image. Click on the image to view a larger version.
The Wreckage of the Largest and First Tree to Fall
Walking the Sacred Burial Grounds
As I walked the south end of the South Field on the partly sunny morning of 16 December it was eerily still and quiet. I felt as if I were walking on a sacred battlefield burial ground, perhaps one from the Civil War. Instead of dead soldiers, the ground was littered the bucked logs. (A felled and de-limbed tree is cut into logs of standard sizes via a process called bucking.) It was quite a spiritual experience, rife with a bit of sadness.
The small fan palms on the right side of the frame mark the site of my favorite Vulture Tree, the skinny one.
Image #4: iPhone 11 image. Click on the image to view a larger version.
The Wreckage of the My Favorite Vulture Tree
Death of a Friend
As I walked the field, I began the process of mourning the loss of three good friends. Can you befriend a tree?
Image #5: iPhone 11 image. Click on the image to view a larger version.
The Remains of the Original Vulture Tree
Removing Dead Trees — Good or Bad?
Do not think that most folks are environmentally aware of the value of dead trees. I did a web search for “Should you cut down dead trees?” and was stunned to find dozens of “Yes” answers explaining why every dead tree in sight should be cut down immediately. Funny that all of those were sponsored by tree removal companies.
Don’t get me wrong; dead trees that present hazards to humans or their dwellings need to be removed. There was a huge dead tree that threatened to fall onto my pool cage. I had it removed. When a big oak tree fell in the backyard during a hurricane and just barely touched the pool cage, we chopped it up and left the dead wood to rot. Bobwhites love to perch on the main trunk to sing and to check on their families foraging below the feeder.
When I refined my search a bit by including the word environment, the world came to its senses. The best article I found was here by George Wuerthner on the The Wildlife News website. This 3000+ word article is entitled The ecological value of dead trees. Though it is well worth reading the whole thing, here are a few telling excerpts:
Dead. Most of us have negative associations with the word. After all how did Death Valley get its name? Not because it was a favorite vacation spot for prospectors. Is anyone interested in fishing the Dead Sea? And when we say someone looks like “death warmed over” it’s not usually taken as a compliment. So it’s not surprising that most of us tend to view dead things as undesirable, unless we are talking about mosquitoes and rattlesnakes. (Actually I appreciate both and don’t advocate early death for either.)
We carry this cultural bias to our view of forests. Like most people I once viewed dead trees as an indicator of some presumed problem in the forest—that a ‘healthy” forest was one with a minimum of dead trees and largely free of wildfire, insects, and disease. Oh yes, I knew that a few snags were good for woodpeckers, and as a fly fisherman I understood that trout tended to be found hiding behind logs in the stream. I suffered from the same cultural bias as most people and thought that large numbers of dead trees meant that the forest was “out of balance” or “sick.” But the more I studied ecology, the more I questioned these assumptions. I now understand that large numbers of dead trees are critical to functioning forest ecosystems and sometimes, at the risk of hyperbole, I occasionally say they are ultimately more important to forest ecosystems than live trees.
There is no disputing the ecological importance of dead trees. Dead trees and down wood play an important role in ecosystems by providing wildlife habitat, cycling nutrients, aiding plant regeneration, decreasing erosion, and influencing drainage and soil moisture and carbon storage, among other values. Richard Hutto, an ecology professor at the University of Montana, sums up this new way of thinking about the long-term ecological value of dead trees when he notes, “Snags are important biological legacies that are passed from one forest generation to the next.”
DEAD TREE IMPORTANCE FOR WILDLIFE
…
So important are dead trees to wildlife that researcher Timothy Kent Brown estimates that two thirds of all wildlife species use dead trees or down wood during some portion of their life cycle. Among Pacific Northwest vertebrates, 69 species depend upon cavities for shelter or nesting, while 47 other species are strongly associated with downed wood. And it’s not just the obvious species like woodpeckers. Many bat species, for instance, hide in cavities in dead trees or under the loose bark of dead and/or dying trees.
Jim Andrews, a professor at Middlebury College in Vermont, studies amphibians and reptiles in northeastern forests. Andrews says, “Foresters tend to look at the forest from the floor up. I have occasionally gone on field trips with them and they were rather proud of how they had managed their forests, but the forest has nothing in it. There’s no cover. No places to find live critters.”
Andrews notes that dead and dying trees are important for many cold-blooded species, from gray frogs to arboreal rat snakes. “Standing snags, once they get big enough so that they have hollow centers—what foresters call ‘overmature,’ (which I hate since it is so board-foot focused)—are the places where wildlife reside.” Andrews quips, “To a biologist you don’t have overmature trees—you have wildlife habitat.”
The importance of down logs to wildlife can’t be overstated. Andrews notes that the greatest biomass of terrestrial vertebrate species found in eastern forests are salamanders, not the more charismatic large mammals like deer and moose. As a result they are important as food to many other species, from wild turkeys to shrews.
But salamanders are also significant predators in their own right. Andrews says salamanders eat beetle larvae, fly larvae, ground beetles, spiders, sow bugs, round worms, and other invertebrates that feed on forest debris.
Salamanders are the top predator that shape ecosystem processes much as wolves are the top predator at another scale in terrestrial ecosystems. “Salamanders, by preying upon these species that consume leaf litter, help to maintain a deeper layer of leaves and other organic debris that holds moisture, reduces floods, and that kind of stuff, “says Andrews.
The iPhone Photography e-Guide
Click here to learn about Cliff Oliver’s great iPhone e-Guide. To order your copy, please click here. The PDF is sent link by e-mail for downloading: the file is relatively huge at 216 MB. I was an iPhone photo dunce until I got this guide.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
If you know the Burrowing Owl location about an hour from San Diego, please get in touch with me via e-mail.
Iceland
My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.
What’s Up?
The story of what I did on Friday morning will be shared in tomorrow’s blog post. I did get lots of packing done for San Diego, and still have lots more to do today.
Speaking of which, today is Saturday 17 December 2022. I will be overnighting in an airport hotel at MCO on Sunday night as my flight on Monday morning is scheduled to depart at 7:15am. I will be on an early shuttle! The forecast for this morning is for mostly cloudy skies with a breeze from the northeast. I may head down to the lake after I publish today’s post. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare and makes two hundred sixty-four days in a row with a new, educational post just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
This image was created on Thursday 15 December 2022 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at the bottom of the slope down to the canal that separates the South Peninsula from the South Field, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Shutter Priority +2-stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 640: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be about 1/6 stop short of dead-solid perfect. AWB at 7:17:26am just before the sun came over the distant trees.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Two Black Vultures (on our left) and one Turkey Vulture, perched for the last time my favorite Vulture Tree
The Last Sunrise
As the folks at ILE had cut down the largest of the three Vulture Trees on Wednesday morning, I figured that the last two would go down on Thursday. So, I arrived early and with some light clouds on the eastern horizon, I enjoyed some nice sunrise color. The sun rose, and then the end came.
Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured images do you like best? If you leave a comment, please let us know why you made your choice.
This image was also created on Thursday 15 December 2022 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Again, standing at the bottom of the slope down to the canal that separates the South Peninsula from the South Field, I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Shutter Priority at the metered exposure. AUTO ISO set ISO 100: 1/6400 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be a bit hotter than dead solid perfect. It was easy to tame the brightest area in the sun during the raw conversion. AWB at 7:21:48am just after sunrise.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly even at 1200mm. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
A single Turkey Vultures enjoying its last sunrise perched on my favorite Vulture Tree
Leaving the Scene
Several of the vultures roosting in the live pine trees took flight when the ILE forestry bucket truck arrived on the scene providing one last dead tree photo opp. I knew what was coming. As the chain saw was started, I toyed with the idea of making a photograph of the tree falling but could not bear to watch. On my Friday morning visit, I noted that the last remaining Vulture Tree, the one farthest south, had also been taken down on Thursday. Three down, none to go. Bummer.
San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount Info and In-the-Field Instructional Photo Sessions
Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to receive the San Diego IPT #1 & #2 Late Registration Discount info. Note that due to one cancellation and one switch, there are now two opening on San Diego #2. As I will be in San Diego for five weeks, I have lots of free days for In-the-Field Instructional Sessions, again, e-mail for rates and details.
This all-new card includes images created on my JAN 2022 visit to San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2022/23 San Diego Brown Pelicans (and more!) IPTs
San Diego IPT #1. 3 1/2 DAYS: WED 21 DEC thru the morning session on Saturday 24 DEC 2022. $2099.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
San Diego IPT #2. 4 1/2 DAYS: SAT 7 JAN thru the morning session on WED 11 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 2.
San Diego IPT #3: 4 1/2 DAYS: THURS 19 JAN thru the morning session on MON 23 JAN 2023: $2699.00. Deposit: $699.00. Limit: 6 photographers/Openings: 5.
Please e-mail for information on personalized pre- and post-IPT and In-the-Field Sessions.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Ducks; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Northern Shoveler and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions (both depending on the current regulations and restrictions). And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on exposure along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and SONY Zebras. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode so that you can get the right exposure every time (as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant). Or two seconds with SONY zebras … And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well, often with 70-200mm lenses! And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of those opportunities. Depending on the weather, the local conditions, and the tides, there are a variety of other fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
These IPTs will include four or five 3-hour morning photo sessions, three or four 1 1/2-hour afternoon photo sessions, and three or four working brunches that will include image review and Photoshop sessions. On rare cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip that afternoon. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own as well. In the extremely unlikely event that Goldfish Point is closed due to local ordinance (or whimsy) — that has never happened in the past fifty years, I will of course do my very best to maximize our photographic opportunities.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Deposit Info
A $699 deposit is required to hold your slot for one of the 2022/23 San Diego IPTs. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART”) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due three months before the trip.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
